Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1887-03-16
BET; A SKETCH.
CHAPTER THE FIRST.

A glorious July afternoon, some &C
years ago, in one OF the Midland
counties; narrow lane between hedg-
es, where the wild rose grew in sweet
profuslon; and a young man trudging
along, whistling scraps of country
ditties with lusty enjoyment.
He was a strong, well-built fellow,
with an honest, kindly face, that was
eIdeemed from being commonplace by
We firm lips and bright grey eyes.
n one Land he carried a posy Of
glowing summer flowers, and doubt.
less it was thoughts of the future re-
cipient that made him whistle so gaily,
and rejoice so gladly in the shining sky
and hot sunshine.
Not that he could have told you
that he revealed in the beauties OF
nature, for he was not poetical-ex-
cept in so far that most good men
are so more or less. But he could
have told you that his skies were the
blue eyes of Bet Woodruff, and his
sunshine was in her smiles.
Jasper Dean was a farmer of the
good old sort-hard- working and per-
tectly content provided the crops were
good, and that sheep-rot did not get
amongst his fiocks. HIS little farm
had descended to him from his father,
and here Jasper had lived with his
mother ever since his first entry into
existence. He would not have
bartered his dear old home for all
the splendor CT q palace. The
quiet life had the charm OF ia
miliarity, and he was disturbed by no
ambition to explore the world in
quest of novelty or adventure. In
fact, his ambitions, such as they were,
were commonplace enough, though
just at present one of them seemed
to himself, at bsorbingly inter-
estinc.
He was engaged to be married; and
his ambition was to make the woman
he loved happy. Bet Woodruff!
Who could help loving Bet, with
her golden hair and soft blue eyes?
= She was an orphan niece of Jasper's
mother, and had lived as pet and
plaything at the farm since she was II
yearsold. How Jasper had cherished
the little creature, played with her,
and, as she grew older, hoped for her!
She, too, was fond of good old
Jasper" and thought him the finest
and best fellow in the country.
60 II al no +Ho,y AL
each other they could never be happy
apart. Jasper said that the farm,
with It's pretty garden and orchard,
was nothing to him without Bet; and
Bet whispered that she would love to
live there always, with Jasper.
No wonder, then, if Jasper felt that
life was a splendid thing, as he carried
home his posy to Bet. Who would
not think so in such position?
Yet, as he crossed the meadow lead
ing to the farm, slight shadow cloud
ed his eyes, and he looked down at the
flowers with a half-regretful sigh.
"She was half-crazed for these anem-
ones" he said to himself; "and I've
had tough walk to find 'em. But
the lass takes no thought for such
like since that artist chaps bin at
her-no, nor yet for me, neither.
She's not what she used to be- Like
ly she finds Pm bit dull and rusty.
A great, hulking fellow for such bit
O sunlight as she is-bless her! But l
love her, and that's saying more nor
t'Other chap, for all his buttering ways.
II were to catch him a-fooling my
lass-1f Iwere tothink--"Hec lenched
his hands with momentary anger,
then shook himself impatiently, and,
opening the gate of the orchard, add
ed, "Pll never doubt my Bet
trust her for good and a sensible
lass, Jasper, lad, and thee'll not find
thee was fool for thy pains"
In the garden he found her. She was
not alone, for Allan Challoner, the
artist from London, was putting the
finishing touches to a picture in which
Bet was the central figure. He had
been there most afternoons for the
last three weeks, telling Bet that her
hair and complexion were themes for
an artist to immortalize, and instilling
into her innocent mind all the insidious
flattery he knew so we'll how to ad-
minister to all women-lady or.vil-
lage maid alike. We may pardon
Jasper lovers jealousy of such
rival-one, moreover, who would be
no worthy rival, for though he might
steal Bets heart, it was all in pure
idleness, and he had no love to give
her in return.
Bet was sitting, bareheaded, at a
spinningwheel, as lovely g. model as
could be seen. She looked up as Jas
per came towards her, and it seemed
to him that she was pale, and her
smile q little tremulous.
"Thee'st been away q long while,
Jasper" she said. ''Thy mothers
been asking for thee"
"Well, doubt not she'll forgive me,
for twas for thy sake, lass" he said,
putting the flowers IN her lap. ""Thee
saidst, one day back, thee wanted
anemones, and I've got 'em for thee"
"Oh, good Jasper" she cried bury
ing her tace in the blossoms. "Oh,
good Jasper"
She laid them against her cheek, and
ever and anon looked up at him and
murmured, "Good Jasper" in a tone
that rang strangely to him, it was so
unlike her usual merry chatter.
Meanwhile Challoner was packing |
up his things, paying little heed to his
companions. He knew Jasper dis |
liked him, and guessed the reason. AS
for Bet-lovely little girl-yes, he
would like to show her off to his
friends. At all events, though to-
morrow was his last day, he meant to |
make the most of it when Jaspers
back was turned.
Good day, Bet" he said, cheerily,
when he was ready to go. $50 our
sittings are over. hope you are as
sorry as / am! Here is a
little keepsake for you-wedding |